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Transgender Jewish Writer to Give Ithaca College Presentations

Poet and essayist Joy Ladin will give two free public presentations during an upcoming visit to Ithaca College. Ladin holds the David and Ruth Gottesman Chair in English at Stern College of Yeshiva University, where in 2007 she became the first openly transgender employee of an Orthodox Jewish institution.

On Thursday, March 28, Ladin will read from her latest book of poems, “The Definition of Joy,” at noon in the Handwerker Gallery. At 7:30 p.m. that evening, she will give a talk based on her memoir about transitioning from male to female while teaching at Yeshiva, “Through the Door of Life: A Jewish Journey between Genders,” in Textor 101.

Joy (formerly Jay) Ladin has published six books of poetry, including Forward Fives award winner “Coming to Life” and Lambda Literary Award finalist “Transmigration,” as well as a critical study, “Soldering the Abyss: Emily Dickinson and Modern American Poetry.” She lectures frequently on the topics of writing, literature, Judaism and gender identity and serves on the board of directors of Keshet, a national organization that works for the full equality and inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Jews in Jewish life.